Submarine rescue device



May 6, 1930. N. F. THoMMEs SUBMARINE RESCUE DEVICE Filed July 14, '1928 Irl v ling/ 2 w @i 4 M v INVENTOR.

yz'cofc 76071266.

Patented May 6, 1930 NICOITAS F. THOMMES, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN SUBMARINE RESCUE DEVICE Application filed July 14,

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a submarine rescue device, and has for its object the provision of a device whereby persons in a vessel which has become submerged may be rescued therefrom.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this kind inwhich air maybe delivered to the interior of the sunken vessel and whereby means may be afforded for communication above the surface of the water from within the sunken vessel. y

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this kind which is simple l in structure, economical of manufacture,

15 highly efficient and durable in use, and easily and quickly assembled.Y v Y.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.. The invention consists yinthe combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter 'def scribed and claimed. Y

The invention will be best understood by a. reference to the accompanying drawings whichform. a part of this Ispecification and rin which, y t

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the invention showing it applied, with parts broken away and parts shown in section. f

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of he invention showing it applied.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. v

In the drawings I have illustrated the device applied to a submarine having an upper deck 7, the vessel being illustrated as divided into compartments 8 and 9 by the partition 10 in which may be formed a suitable door (not shown). Extended through the deck 7 is a pipe 11 on which is mounted a Valve 12 40 interior of the compartment 8 4and onwhich is mounted the valve 13 exterior of the compartment 8, each of these being a manually operable valve. A pipe 111` extends through the deck 7 and mounted on the exterior of this 45 -pipe is a manually operable valve 15 and 1928. Serial No. 292,812.

mounted on the interior end of the' pipe is a l i which is held in position by the bands 19, the

ends of these bands being angularly turned at each end and secured by bolts 20'on which nuts 21are threaded, these nuts being accessible from the interior of the compartment 8 or the compartment 9. Secured to the float 18 is one end 22 of a cablev which is woundon a drum 23k supported rotatably on suitable brackets 24: mounted on the deck 7. The shaft 25 of the drum is extended and wound thereon vis a coil 26 of telephone wire which extends through the bushing 27 Vin which is positioned the packing 28 heldthereinby glands 29 and 30. This telephone wire is divided into separate cables26 and 26, one extending intothe compartment 8 and the other extending into the compartment 9. Y

Iny operation, should thevessel become submerged, the occupants of eitherthe compartment 8 or the compartment 9 may, by removing the nuts 21, which are accessible from within that compartment, release one end of the retaining bands 19. When the nuts 2l A,are removed, the bolts 20 may be driven outwardly by means of a tapered pin which will lock itselfinto the opening previously occupied by the vbolts 20 and form av watertight seal. The buoyancy of the ioat 18 will then be suiiicient to spring the retaining bands into releasing position, thus permitting the fioat 18 to rise to the surface, unwinding the cable 22 from the drum 23. 'As shown in Fig. 1, one side 31 of the drum 23 is formed with-a float which engagesv the band 19, the band 19 thus preventing normal rotation of the drum 23. When the float is released, however, the band 19 will be sprung suliiciently from position to permit a rotation of the drum 23. i

ln' this manner a fastening means isv extended to the surface by means of the oat 18 and m'eansof communication established, the

cable 22 forming a continuance of the telephone wires 26 and 26".

The declr7 is provided with the outlet opening 32 normally held closed by the closure Positioned over the outlet opening 32 and secured to the deck 7 is the cylindrical member 34 having the flange 35 formed thereon. 'In order to effect a rescue, it is proposed that the occupantsvof the vessel emerge through the opening 32, and to afford a 'safe means of escape l have provided a tubular tower 36 which may be mounted on the upper end of the member 34. This tower l36 is provided with the peripheral flange 37 having the radial peripheral slot 38 formed therein, for the reception of the swingably mounted bolts 39 which are carried by the flange 35. Formed integral with the flange and inclined to the deck 7 is a guide strip 40 provided withthe elongated slot 4l formed therein.

Projecting upwardly from the deck 7 beneath thev slot 4l are lugs 42 in which is pivotally mounted the pulley 43. Projecting outwardly from the flange 37 and downwardly therefrom is the neck 44, to which one end of a cable 46 may be attached, this cable 46 being extended above the surface of the water. In rassembling the device, when the tower 36 is lowered the member 40 will serve to guide the portion into the slot 41, upon which the diver mayv secure the end of the cable which is passed Varound the pulley 43 thereto. If desired, this end of the cable may be secured to the neck 45 prior to the seating of the tower in the flange 35 so that pulling on the cable 46 will lower the tower 36 into position and the engagement of the neck with the member 40 serve as a guide in seating t-he tower. A removable plate 47 is mounted on the inwardly projecting flange 48 positioned on the lower end of the tower 36. After the towerhas been seated in position, the presence of the water above the closure 33 in the member 34 or the leakage of water between the flanges 37 and 35, which should be a watertight connection, willV be 'indicated by the gauge 48 contained within the tower and connected to the pipe 49 which leads thereto. The presence of water will be indicated'by draining from the valve 50 when the saine is opened and leakage will indicate through the wavering of the gauge 48.

The upper endvof the tower 36 is closed by a suitable closure 5l rwhich is hingedly connected to the outwardly extending flange 52 on the collar 53 and which serves to engage the seat 54. A ladder 55 is' mounted on the inner surface of the tower 36. Y

With a device of this kind, when the tower is lowered into position, and several sections of the tower may be utilized if desired, the

connection of each end of the sections being as already described, for the member 34, the occupants of the submerged vessel may by entering the tower 36 escape from the vessel.

Also, after the tower is in position the removal of the closure 47 will permit the passageof air into the interior` of the vessel.

In the device, however, an air line may be attached to the valve 13 or the valve l5 for forcing air into the interior of the vessel, this air line being attached to these valves by a diver lowered upon the deck 7.

`While I have illustrated and described the areferred 'form of my invention, l do not wish 'to limit myself to the precise details of structure shown, but desire to avail myself of suoli variations and modications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

ber projecting upwardly from the deck of said submarine and surroundingsaid opening; an inclined guide strip'extending downwardly from the upper end of said cylindrical member into engagement with the upper surface of said deck at one side of said cylindrical member; a tower mountable on said cylindrical member; and a laterally projecting arm onV the lower end of said tower having an angularly turned portion engageable in a slot formed in said guide strip.

2. In a submarine rescue device of the class described adapted for use with a submarine boat. having an upper deck, provided with an opening formed therein, comprising: va closure forsaid opening operable from the interior of said submarine; a cylindrical mem.-

ber proj ectingupwardly from the deck of said submarine and surrounding said open,- ing; an inclined guide strip extending downwardly from the upper end of said cylindrical member into engagement with the upper sur- Y face of said deck at one side of said cylindrical member; a tower mountable on said cylindrical member; a laterally projecting arm on the lower end of said tower having an angularly turned portion engageabl'e. in a slot formed in said guide strip a removable lplate carried on the lower end-of said tower; and a ladder mounted on the inner surface of said tower.

3. In a submarine rescue device of the class described adapted for use with a submarine boat having an upper deck, provided with an opening formed therein, comprising: a closure for said opening operable :from the interior of said submarine; a cylindrical memcal member into Vengagement with the upper iro surface of said deck at one side ofsaid cylindrical member; a tower mountable on said cylindrical member; a laterally projecting arm on the lower end of said tower having an angularly turned portion engageable in a slot formed in said guide strip; a removable plate carried on the lower end of said tower; a ladder mounted on the inner surface of said tower; and recording means interiorly of said tower for recording the pressure of water in said cylindrical member.

In testimony whereof I have signed the foregoing specification.

NICOLAS F. THOMMES. 

